Psalm 18:21

Translations

Modern

For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not wickedly departed from my God.

Traditional

For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

Literal

For I have kept the ways of YHWH, and I have not acted wickedly against my God.

Latin

…quia custodivi vias Domini, nec impie gessi a Deo meo;

Original

Hebrew

English

For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not wickedly departed from my God.

Notes

Psalms 18:21

kept the ways of the LORD: The psalmist follows God's instructions faithfully (see Psalm 25:8–10).
have not wickedly departed: The psalmist avoids foolishness (see Psalms 1 and 14) and chooses wisdom (see Psalms 1 and 15).

Psalms 18:20–24

The psalmist states that loyalty brings rewards. He trusts in the Lord (see Psalm 16:1) and promises to live with integrity (see Psalms 1, 15, 24; see also 19:12–14).

Psalms 18:1–50

This psalm describes a royal story of God rescuing his king. A similar version of this psalm appears in 2 Samuel 22:1–51. The psalm encourages those who hear the earlier prayers for help in Psalms 16 and 17.

The psalmist describes the dramatic nature of God’s rescue in three different ways (Psalm 18:7–15, 16–19, 30–36). The psalm also offers hope that a future Son of David will completely defeat evil (Psalm 18:43–50; compare Psalm 2).

Psalms 15:1–19:14

The psalms in this section emphasize integrity and purity (Psalms 17:15; 18:20–26; 19:13–14). They describe people as living in God’s presence (Psalms 16:9–11; 17:15) and remaining steadfast (15:5; 16:8).

Theme notes and profiles

David God Works through Prayer Praise Psalms Royal Psalms Salvation in the Psalms The Poor and Needy in the Psalms Wisdom Psalms

Related verses

Psalm 119:102
I have not departed from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me.
Proverbs 8:32
Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
1 John 2:19
They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.
Acts 24:16
In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
Psalm 26:1
Of David. Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
Psalm 17:4
As for the deeds of men—by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
1 Thessalonians 2:10
You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.
2 Chronicles 34:33
And Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the Israelites, and he required everyone in Israel to serve the LORD their God. Throughout his reign they did not turn aside from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
Psalm 119:10–11
With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments.
1 Samuel 15:11
“I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions.” And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all that night.

Psalm 18:21

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics